Another Milestone Mastered.

 

Just kidding...Taylor mastered the sippy cup a few months ago. Today while playing in the backyard, she discovered the dog's water faucet. So gross, yet pretty funny.

Let's Go-go-go-go, On An Adventure....

 C: "Mommy, we have to hold hands!"

 We built a hut.

 C: "A fishing pole! Mommy, can we go fishing?"

Fishing in the creek!

 We caught one!!!!

I have been looking for new places to shoot at. It was a very unsuccessful drive in the car for about an hour and a half throughout San Diego. I had promised Connor a fun adventure and picnic...so we ended up at one of my favorite fields and the kids LOVED it. Connor sure loves an adventure and has quite the imagination! We had a great time playing in this field, building a hide out hut and fishing for gold fish in the creek.

Taylor's 1st Haircut

 

Before...Random longness :D

 NO, my baby hair!!!!

Popsicles make everything better!

Pretty Cutes

Babies hair tends to grow a little funky sometimes...Taylor's was growing longer on the sides and on the top, but only in the middle. There was no way I was going to let Taylor's first hair style be a baby mullet, so I was the mean mom and cute her baby hair off. It looks SO much better and maybe it will grow faster, I can not wait to braid it, put it in ponies....oh the future of having a little girl :D

Pretty Cutes

 Standing up in her crib

 She LOVES her brother

 She is so proud of herself

teething on everything

A little update of our Taylor Sunshineas she is almost 9 months! I can not believe how fast this time has gone. She is changing so much, each day! Taylor started crawling at 7 months. Right before Christmas, (December 22nd) Taylor said her first word, mama! Within the last two weeks she has started pulling herself up on objects and moving from one thing to the next. It is awesome to see her so proud of herself once she stands up! Connor has become quite the big brother. There are still moments of not wanting to share or him getting really mad when she breaks his train track. But he LOVES his sister. He has become such a huge helper, protects her by taking away small toys so she does not put them in her mouth, gives her lots of hugs and kisses and enjoys feeding her (sometimes things she is not suppose to have ;D). He also has a long list of nicknames for her. Last night cracked me up when he said, "Oh, little pinks, you want to play with me in my room?" He never calls her Taylor....usually "pretty cutes," "pumpkin pies," "little pinks," "little cutes, and "tay tays"...all plural, not sure why, but I love it. Taylor just started sleeping in their room, in her crib  and Connor likes it, asking for a slumber party! Last week I thought both kids were sleeping until I heard Connor, "it's nap time TayTay. M O M M Y, Taylor is standing up in her crib." I can't help, but laugh. Fun times in the life of kiddos :D

Best Friends.

Friends are awesome!!!!

I can remember playing with my neighbor friends growing up...I get all happy about it! I get so excited to think about friendships that are as old as I am or close to. I look at these four kids and hope that they too will have that kind of friendship! I love hearing Connor ask for us to go to Evan's to play or sit by the window waiting for them to get here and yell, "I am so glad you are here," out the door as they pull up! I love watching Taylor get so excited when she sees Malia, waving her arms with excitement and grabbing her face for some kisses! The girls are already wrestling like their brothers and it is the cutest wrestling/boxing you have ever seen!

Hooray, Hooray! Hooray for Eyes!

Wow, I just spent a few minutes reading up on our year of 2010 with Connor and his eyes over on Connor's Vision Fund Blog. What a year, for Connor and our whole family. It was rough...between finding out Connor's eyes were more severe than just needing cute little glasses, starting contacts, going through genetic testing, and then all the unknowns that are still unknown.
Contacts have been by far the hardest part of the year. They are ridiculous for toddlers! The hardest thing I hope I ever have to do in my life. I remember the doctor telling us that Connor's contacts were going to be hard because he is a 2 year old, but the transition period would be 2 - 8 weeks. We are going on 7 months with contacts and well we are still not there. There were many dreaded mornings of getting out of bed, mornings full of tears, tantrums, ice cream, candy, fro yo pops, popsicles, tv and lots of snuggles. When we first started contacts it would take an hour of holding him down and sitting on him while he was screaming to try and put contacts in his eyes. It was a disaster, I had every right to cry with him! About 4 months into it and going through 5 contacts, we were over it! The doctor told us it really was not an option. For Connor's situation his glasses will not correct his eye sight, he needs contacts. The exact words from the doc over the phone, "If you stop using his lenses, it will be your fault when his eyes get worse." Ouch, we really needed this though. We needed someone to just tell us, "YOU HAVE TO!" Mike and I would sometimes ignore each other in the mornings knowing we were suppose to be putting in contacts, we would put if off even for only 5 minutes just because we both dread it. Who wants to hold down their innocent child, who is screaming, "Your mean mommy/daddy,stop that...,let go of me..., no no no, get me out of here, I hate tontacts!", kicking, hitting, biting. Yep...not fun to say the least. Not the way anyone wants to start off their day. So the incentives are HUGE in the morning...I can care less if the pediatrician is telling me not to give him sweets. HA...He could eat otter pops all day long for all I care. Somedays I was missing, did not answer my phone, did not open up my laptop, did not see friends...I was playing with Connor, staring him in his sweet eyes, praying one day he will see Earth the way I see it. He has always loved his contacts once they are in, its the part of putting them in and sometimes taking them out. He can not sleep in them, play in dirt, sand or water with them in, a normal 2 year old boys life...so we have to plan accordingly and sometimes not go to certain play dates, but that is the easy part. Even though contacts have been a nightmare, we know the transition to UCLA was the smartest decision we made for him. The team of doctor's at UCLA worked quickly together to help Connor's eye situation, while doctor's stood around in San Diego unsure of his eye sight and what to do. We are confident that the each day we have spent at UCLA is well worth it, even if it is not the most convinent or most affordable situation and never any fun.
Last week we made our first trip of the year to UCLA. We were suppose to make this trip at the end of December, but we put it off as we really were not sure what kind of news we were going to get and it was the holidays. So we postponed it for the New Year, knowing it would start off good or bad. HAPPY NEW YEAR, it was a great visit. Connor is getting a full eye exam every six months now, so this was the first 6 month mark from when he went under anesthesia. We met with his contact specialist first to find out Connor is doing great with his lenses. This visit has been every other week since Connor got them in June. Now he was cleared for 3 months, as long as we don't loose any. So exciting!!! Connor then had his eye exam with Dr. Demer and impressed Mike and I. He decided to sit in the chair all by himself while the technician and then Dr. Demer did tests on him, impressing the two doctors as well. After 4 hours of sitting in the office Connor did begin to loose it, but managed to get through enough of the tests so we would not have to put him under anesthesia - Thank God! Dr. Demer found that Connor's prescription has not changed :D He is happy with the contacts and wants Connor to use them as much as possible. Connor can see 20/60 with contacts :D This is his best score - I cried. It has been amazing to watch his progression during his exams over the past 7 months. I am not sure if I mentioned before, but with glasses Connor was beginning to not use his right eye..scary. Dr. Demer said we would not worry about it and just see how he does after he has properly fit contact lenses. At our last visit, Connor is starting to use his right eye more, scoring a 20/80 in his right eye and 20/60 in his left eye :D. Seriously, this was a huge answer to prayer. Within in the first year of having glasses, his prescription doubled in severity, so of course we thought it was going to change a bit...I did not think it would stay the same! (tears, these are so hard to write!) Mike and I are so very grateful for all the advancements in technology, for finding doctors who care and know what to do to help his situation. It is so hard, as everyday we look into his "beautiful eyes" and really wonder what he can see, how much better are contacts than glasses, what are the differences...I could make a list a mile long. I guess only time will tell as Connor can communicate better.
We are still dealing with every fight he gives us with his contacts...but it has been getting better. He has straight legs (sometimes), a tunnel to go under (my legs just in case he starts kicking), buzz lightyear arms or holding daddy's hands for comfort and big eyes (not really, he fights the eyes, but when I say big eyes he opens his mouth so big). Incentives are key and he usually will try to work for them if they are good. This week his favorite is a Thomas PEZ dispenser who fills up with candy when he does a great job.
Over the past month, Connor's eyes have become very sensitive to light. So sensitive that sometimes we have to leave all the shades in the house down or he wears his sunglasses in the house.  This can be a sign of glaucoma, but at this point Dr. Demer does not believe that is what it is. He will be seen in 6 months and he will be tested for sure to rule it out. Hopefully since Connor will be a bit older he will cooperate more, if not they will out him under anesthesia to get a full eye exam done, looking closely at his eye pressure and retina. Also during the exam, white bumps were found on the inside of his eye lids. This can be crystals that are scratching at his eyes or doing no harm. During the next exam Dr. Demer will look at them and remove them if necessary.
What a visit...so much to be thankful for and a few more added issues, what I call "The Unknowns"...I am not sure they will ever go away. Thank goodness every day is a new day, everyday is full of new health advancements and everyday Connor sees something new. He saw a rainbow for the first time about 2 weeks ago - the best rainbow I have ever seen, because I got to enjoy it with one enthusiastic little mind...I could have sat under that rainbow until it disappeared.
Thank you friends, family, blog readers for everything this past year! What a blessing it was to receive this fund for Connor's medical bills. I am still blown away that I have true friendship in life! Something that some don't ever experience. (tears, again) I am speachless, yet so incredibly Thankful! This year is new and I am so hopeful for a good year in Connor's eyes. Please keep our bug in your prayers. Feel free to email or call me with any new ideas on how to make it easier for him with contacts, new incentive ideas or just to share your story.
Thanks again for all you do for our family! Thank you for loving our Connor man! I hope this new year brings much happiness and joy for you all!
With love,
Connor's Mommy

Goodbye Twentyten.

 i am king of the mountain!

 touching a itty bitty hermit crab.

  The reason why I never have as many photos of Tay.

 I am the luckiest wife in the world.

 I am the luckiest mom in the world.

 such a perry fam photo.

i love these toes.

We started our own tradition..yay, I think it is the first one we have for our little fam. On New Year's Eve Day in 2009, we played in the tide pools at the cliffs and I got some of my most favorite photos that day. Check out the blog post here (tear, it is crazy how much kids grow in a year.) Yesterday, we decided we would do it again...making it a tradition.  This year at the tide pools was fun...Connor is bigger, he loves to climb on rocks, he thinks it is funny poking sea enemies, and he LOVES the ocean as much as we do...Taylor, completes our little family. She LOVES to be outdoors, LOVES to be in the water and smiles enough for all of us.

Right now...Connor is our chatter box, enjoys making up some random language, loves digging in the backyard, plays trains religiously, is such a huge helper, awesome snuggler and my little monster who keeps me on top of my toes. Taylor is crawling all over the place, can say mama, enjoying most foods, but has no teeth yet, LOVES to play peek-a-boo - especially with Connor, pulls herself up, tries standing and is so curious of everything. These little ones are awesome, I can't wait to see their accomplishments in 2011.

2010 went by so fast, but I am honestly glad it is done. I have never cared for a fresh start, but today marks a new year and I am so grateful in away I have never experienced. Bring on the New Year, 2011. I hope it is a good one!

A Full House.

 Lots of Train Tracks were built

 Mikey got this helicopter for Christmas, it was a huge activity of the week

 

Grandpa and Connor making the same face watching the helicopter

 Lots of Quality Time

 Taylor's first breakfast in bed with Auntie Eileen

 Oh no, Playdoh

Nighty Night.

It was for sure a full house with 6 adults, two kids, heaps of Christmas presents...but it was a super good time. It is pretty much my favorite time of year when my bro and Eileen come to visit. I miss they so much, so it is very special when we do get to see them. Connor loved waking up and having so much people to choose to snuggle with...he also loved having someone to play with every second of the day. I am sure Taylor loved her snuggles too as she still will not go to sleep on her own...she is missing everyone rocking her and singing her night night. Thanks family for coming and spending the week of Christmas with us...it could not have been better.